THE father of burns victim Gareth Eaton has called for a complete ban on fireworks after his son suffered appalling injuries when a rocket blew up in his face.

The 24-year-old father-of-three lost his right eye in the accident and his left hand was ripped to shreds.

He also suffered severe burns to his face, chest and arms in the bonfire night blast in the garden of his Radcliffe home.

Although slowly beginning to recover, he will bear the horrific burn scars for the rest of his life. He remains in the intensive care unit at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Father Les is now calling for a complete ban on all fireworks.

Les said: "It should have been a fun day but it ended a disaster. All we can do is hope and pray that Gareth continues to pull through. He is a fighter. Even then he faces tough times ahead to come to terms with losing his right eye and, possibly, a couple of fingers on his left hand. His injuries are horrific."

Gareth, whose sight in his left eye has been poor since the age of six, had spent around £700 on fireworks to celebrate moving from Goldfinch Drive in Bury to his new home in Queen Street, Radcliffe, with expectant girlfriend Georgina and also to celebrate his father's 60th birthday.

Les said: "Gareth had built a small bonfire and spent a lot of money on fireworks. He was very safety conscious. A number of fireworks were faulty and he threw them in a bucket of water. A number of sparklers were also burning people's hands and these too were placed in the water."

However, it was as Gareth was lighting the last firework of the night when tragedy struck. Gareths four-year-old son, Matthew, one of three children from a previous relationship, witnessed the horror.

Les said: "The firework was a rocket with a large rounded head. As Gareth place it in the tube and was preparing to light the fuse with a taper, the stick broke and the head of the firework came away. I dont know whether it was a spark from the bonfire or it touched the taper, but the head had its own fuse and it blew up in Gareth's face.

"Gareth fell to the floor screaming that he had lost his eye and his hand. A number of people, including myself, were covered in blood. He managed to get to his feet and blood was pumping from his wounds. It was terrifying. Everyone was screaming in panic."

Although disabled, Les picked up his son and carried him into the bathroom of the semi-detached council house. He poured cold water over the burns and used towels to stem the flow of blood.

Gareth was taken to Fairfield General Hospital but the extent of his injuries meant he had to be transferred to Royal Oldham Hospital for specialist treatment.

Said Les: "The staff at both hospitals have been exceptional and they are doing everything to help."

The former Broad Oak High School pupil had moved to Radcliffe in the summer after leaving the family home in Goldfinch Drive. Gareth and his brother Leslie (25) had been raised by their father from their early teens after their mum, Irene, lost her fight against kidney disease 11 years ago. Gareth met Georgina (21) two years ago, and she is now four months pregnant.

Les said he had always enjoyed fireworks but his view has changed dramatically since his sons accident.

"I hate them," said Les. "All fireworks should be banned, even those used in organised displays where accidents can and do happen. They may be pretty but they can destroy lives. Gareths life has been ruined.

"My priority is for Gareth to recover and overcome his injuries. Then I will be writing to my MP, the council, and Tony Blair, calling for a complete ban.

He added: "I want people to know what fireworks can do to someone and I would urge anyone considering buying fireworks for New Years eve celebrations to stay clear of them and find other ways to celebrate."

Bury Borough Commander for the Fire Service, Pete Riley believes Gareths accident backs calls for the public to attend organised firework shows.

He said "It is extremely upsetting that such injuries should be inflicted by what most people see as harmless means of enjoyment.

"But this is the reality of fireworks; they have the potential to change people's lives forever, causing horrendous injuries, distress and upset. Our advice continues to be go to recognised events and leave fireworks to the experts."